Scaffolding is an approach akin to guided practice with extra contextual support of the material. "Instructional scaffolding enables CLD students, with support, to engage in literacy activities that build on a prior skill or knowledge base while stretching toward the development of new literacy skills" (Herrera & Murry, 2011, p 74) while still keeping the CLD student in the class with the other students. The CLD students need to feel safe and be able to engage with native speakers in authentic communication, so scaffolding can allow that to happen.

Another way to help with scaffolding is to utilize their first language (L1) and not just teach in their second language (L2). "Research has constistantly demonstrated that when the CLD student is schooled only in L2, meeting this linguistic challenge of attaining grade-level norms will require a minimum of five to ten years and will require even more time when the student does not already have an established literacy base in L1, says Collier, Thomas, Cummins, Swain, Dolson & Mayer, Genesee, and Ramirez (as cited in Herrera & Murry, 2011, p 71)"

Understanding the struggle of acquiring a new language, I see the issue in patience. Educators must remember that the CLD students aren't cognitively slow becaue they can't speak the target language yet, they are just transitioning to a new language, so taking that into consideration, educators should balance their language with the classes content. This is why differentiation in the classroom is critical. If a student is "behind" in a certain aspect of the learning, offering choices that fit their language level, while still letting them keep up with the class on content will keep them engaged and challenged without falling behind and be motivated to continue the struggle of learning the new language.

For example, educators can make extra materials that cover the content but take into consideration the language acquisition of the CLD student. Perhaps, since it is a common L1, have the worksheets bilingual or, at least enough for the CLD students with an L1 to consider, printed so they can be helped while still utilizing their L1 for cognitive development of the content. This will also "build a connection between new knowledge and existing knowledge (Herrera & Murry, 2011)."

Even letting the CLD students teach a few words to a native English speaking partner and have them share vocabulary to engage the CLD student would offer an authentic experience for both students on getting to know someone with different cultural backgrounds with common goals or interests, namely, this classes content.

"Everything that we see is a shadow cast by that which we do not see." (Martin Luther King jr.)

Woman on the Bus

A woman looks at her phone on a bus in downtown Seoul, 2015

Seoul Protest 2015

People from around 120 unions and groups organized the protests on Saturday, December 5th, that saw thousands marching through downtown Seoul. Many people carried signs that said roughly "listen to the people" as they feel the current government is not working for the people but for the Chaebol (large corporations).

Mask Dance

Thousands took to the streets to protest several government plans in Seoul on Saturday, December 5th. They were told not to wear masks because of the "threat of ISIS". The protesters responded by wearing thousands of masks, some dancing traditional samulnori along the way.

Shoulder View

Getting a better view of the traditional Korean dancing at the Bupyeong Festival, this girl sits on dad's shoulders.

Angled Emotion

A man picks up recycling in the city while a little girl pouts in the doorway behind him.

Framing the Street

Tucked into an alley in northern Seoul, graffiti hides as people walk past.

The Clown

A performer prepares to entertain children on Children's Day at Children's Grand Park in Seoul.

Yellow Dust Love

A couple gets intimate during yellow dust season in Myeongdong. "Yellow Dust" is the polluted air that drifts from the Gobi Desert, picking up coal pollution over the cities of China, to Korea.

Rock Reflection

Cape Disappointment, Washington

Launch Pad to the Universe

The Milky Way jetting up from the peaks at Colonial in the North Cascades, Washington

Watercolor Sky

The colors of sunset above Eastern Jeju Island, South Korea

The Race

Two shooting stars race across the night sky at Liberty Bell Peak, Washington

Mt. St. Helens

From Johnston Ridge

The Girl with the Mask

"Park Geun Hye resign" is written across her mask. She speaks loudly without noise in the crowd f nearly a million protesting the president of South Korea on 11/12

Monk in the Front

A million people took to the streets on 11/12 to protest the president in one of the largest protests in Korean history. Many religious leaders joined together to hold signs that read "Park Geun Hye resign"

Man with Candle

One of a million protesting the president of South Korea on 11/12, holding a candle for the vigil and marching to show his support of the president stepping down.

Helping Hands

These girls help this man light his candle as night falls over approximately a million people in the streets of downtown Seoul on 11/12.

Anti-Government DJ Spinning

A DJ spins music for the crowd of protesters on 11/12 as they march against the president of Korea.

A Family Marches

A family marches with candles during the protest on 11/12 that saw a million people spill into the streets of downtown Seoul.

Flying

Flying on the shoulders of her father, this girl had a VIP view of the million person protest against the president on 11/12

Spectacle

Overlooking the crowd in the square, a man surveys the scene. Lights, musicians, food stalls, and a million people peacefully protesting the president and chanting in waves, "Park Geun Hye resign".

Tiring Protest

A little girl yawns on her father's shoulders late into the night as they continue to march against the president.